Lumber grade marker



July 14, 1964 SHQQK 3,140,656

LUMBER GRADE MARKER Filed Aug. 4, 1960 N s Sh eets-Sheet 1 ranvi/le- Dee Shook 1 N VEN T OR.

BY @Mwia.

July 14, 1964 G. D. sHooK 3,140,656

' LUMBER GRADE MARKER Filed Aug. 4, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2 A

Granville Dee Shook 1N VEN TOR.

Mam-3:. B?

July 14, 1964 3,140,656

G. D. SHOCK LUMBER GRADE MARKER Filed Aug. 4, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 rim 3 60 .98 is .90 $84 84 6 6'4 90 g I m 2 3 CD it 0 C 68 g 7 0 v 7 72 Granville Dee Shook INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,140,656 LUMBER GRADE MARKER Granville Dee Shook, Darby, Mont. Filed Aug. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 46,625 Claims. (Cl. 101-35) This invention relates to apparatus and method for grade marking of lumber.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a simple and inexpensive grade marking device which enables graded lumber to be rapidly and accurately marked.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus and a method for marking of lumber in accordance with its grade whereby a tremendous savings in labor time and equipment cost is realized.

The apparatus made in accordance with this invention involves the positioning of lumber placed on a moving grading conveyor in an endwise position relative to a reference line corresponding to the grade of the lumber, said lumber when so positioned moving under a mark-v ing device which includes a plurality of inking rollers of progressively increasing diameter so that the bottom surface of the rollers will be at progressively lower levels. Accordingly, lumber positioned for example in an extreme endwise position relative to the reference line representing one grade of lumber will be engaged by the lowest level or largest diameter inking roller for both endwise position sensing and marking thereof, engagement of said largest diameter roller with the lumber thereby raising all of the other inking rollers connected to the same roller shaft out of contact with the lumber so that the marking of the lumber by a single inking roller is assured. Similarly, the lumber positioned at the next endwise position Will engage the next to the largest inking roller so that all of the smaller rollers will be raised out of contact with the lumber. In this manner the plurality of rollers yieldably supported above the conveyor just behind the grading station may quickly and accurately mark the grade of the lumber immediately after grading of the lumber by a grader who positions the lumber in an endwise position corresponding to the different axial positions of the inking or marking rollers for marking the appropriate grade thereon. The use of costly, sensitive and separate sensing and signal transmitting equipment is thus avoided without any sacrifice in reliability and perhaps with an improvement in this regard because of the simplicity of operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the lumber grade marker apparatus arranged in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the inking marker device made in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a right side elevational view of the marker device illustrated in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 44 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIGURE 4.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be observed in FIGURE 1 that a marking device generally indicated by reference numeral 10 is suspended by any suitable suspension structure 12 from above, said marking device 10 being in position over a lumber conveyor chain drive 14 and just to one side thereof for marking of the lumber carried on the conveyor 14, at a predetermined markice lumber passing over the grading station 12 will be graded according to its quality by a grader who positions the lumber in a selected endwise position over the conveyor 14 relative to a reference line defined by the outer edge of the member 18 which defines the grading station 16.

It will be observed that the marking device 10 is in alinement with the reference line on member 18 so that when the lumber is positioned in its endwise position corresponding to its grade it will be engaged and marked by the appropriate marking roller of the marking device 10. In the illustrated example it will be observed that three marking rollers 20, 22 and 24 are illustrated, said rollers being mounted on a common roller shaft 26 and being of a progressively increasing diameter so that the bottom surface of the rollers 20, 22 and 24 will be at progressively lower levels. Accordingly, three grades of lumber may be marked by the marking device 10 at substantially the same distance from the positioned end edge including lumber 28 of one grade, lumber 30 of a second grade and lumber 32 of a third grade.

When the lumber 28 of one grade passes under the marking device 10 its endwise grade position will be sensed since it will be engaged only by the roller 20 while clearing the rollers 22 and 24. Accordingly, there is no problem with regard to the marking of grade No. 1 lumber or lumber 28 since the lumber 28 passes only under roller 20 and is marked in response to sensing by the roller. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, however, when the second grade of lumber 30 passes under the marking device 10 it will pass under both rollers 22 and 20. However, inasmuch as the bottom of the roller 22 is at a lower level than that of roller 20, grade position sensing and marking occurs by engagement of lumber 30 by the roller 22 raising the marking assembly 10 upwardly'so as to bring the bottom of roller 20 out of contact with the lumber 30 to thereby avoid marking of the lumber 30 by the roller 20 insuring that the lumber is marked only by its appropriate marking roller 22. Similarly, when the lumber 32 for example passes under the marking device 10 it will be engaged by the appropriate roller 24 which is at a lower level than the other rollers so that engagement of the roller 24 with the lumber 32 will raise both the rollers 22 and 20 out of contact with the lumber 32. Accordingly, lumber 32 will be marked only by the roller 24. It will therefore be apparent that by selectively positioning the lumber according to grade prior to arrival thereof at the marking station, preselected marking wheels will engage the lumber. However, only one of the preselected marking wheels (the one with the lowest printing surface) will actually contact the lumber for proper grade stamping thereof and thereby raise the other marking wheels out of contact with the lumber.

Referring now to FIGURES 25 it will be observed that the suspension device 12 includes a pair of angle members 34 and 36 by means of which the marking device 10 is suspended from above, for upward displacement as hereinbefore indicated. The angle members 34 and 36 are pivotally connected to a frame assembly mounting the marking device 10. The frame assembly includes arms 38 and 40 disposed perpendicular to each other at end end of the marking device as more clearly seen in FIGURE 3. The two end arm assemblies are interconnected with each other in spaced relation by means of an angle member 42 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 5. The arms 34 and 36 are accordingly pivotally connected to the frame assembly by means of a pivot pin 44 extending between the intersections of the arms 38 and 40. The pin 44 is maintained in assembled condition by means of a cotter pin 46 at either end thereof as more clearly seen in FIGURE 3. A partition plate member 48 interconnects the arms 40 and hence extends longitudinally therebetween. The partition plate 48 is also connected to the angle member 42 as seen in FIG- URE and also is connected to a supporting plate 56 disposed intermediate the ends of the ink marking device for supporting a motor unit 52. The motor casing of the motor unit 52 is fastened to the supporting plate 50 by a plurality of bolt fasteners 54 while a spring 56 is connected to one of the end plate fasteners of the motor unit 52 at one end while at the other end it is connected to a cross member 58 of the suspending structure 12 in order to bias the frame assembly about the pivot pin 44 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 3. In order to limit the pivotal movement of the frame assembly relative to the suspending angle member 34 a pair of limit stops 60 and 62 are provided on the angle member 34, said stop members 60 and 62 including adjustable screw members 64 and 66 as seen in FIGURES 3 and 4 whereby the pivotal movement of the frame assembly is limited by engagement of the arm 40 on one side of the marking device with the adjustable screw members 64 and 66.

The marking rollers 20, 22 and 24 are rotatably mounted by the frame assembly by means of a roller shaft 68 which is journaled at its ends Within the outer ends 70 of the frame arms 38. The rollers are of different diameter as seen in FIGURES 2 and 4 so that the bottom areas thereof which contact the lumber for marking purposes are at different levels for the purposes as hereinbefore indicated.

In order to rotate the roller shaft 68 with the rollers thereon in order to maintain them inked and to mark the lumber in contact therewith, a transmission mechanism is provided between the motor unit 52 and the roller shaft 68. Accordingly, one end of the roller shaft 68 is extended beyond its journal bearing 70 and connected to a drive pulley 72 as seen in FIGURES 2 and 4. A pulley belt 74 is trained about the pulley 72 and also about a pulley 76 which is connected by means of shaft 78 to the output side of a gear reducer 80 of any suitable type. The gear reducer 80 is connected to the output of the motor unit 52 by means of a coupling device 82 as seen in FIGURE 4. Accordingly, the rollers 20, 22 and 24 may be rotated at an appropriate speed.

It will therefore be observed that each of the rollers is maintained in inked condition by means of an inking mechanism 84 provided for each marking roller. Each of the inking mechanisms 84 is identical in construction and are rotatably mounted on a mounting pin 86 which pin 86 is connected between the frame assembly arms 40 at the upper ends thereof. The mounting pin 86 is therefore maintained in assembled condition by means of a plurality of cotter pins 88 positioned therealong. It will therefore be apparent that the inking devices 84 may be removed and replaced or refilled with ink when required, FIGURES 2 and 4 illustrating the inking device 84 for the roller 24 being removed from engagement therewith for such purpose. Referring now to FIGURE 5 one of the inking devices 84 will be described with greater detail. Accordingly, the inking device 84 is pivotally supported on the mounting pin 86 by means of a pair of parallel mounting plate members 90 between which an inking roller 92 is rotatably mounted in engagement with the marking roller. The inking roller is therefore rotatably mounted at the forward end of the mounting plate 90 while an ink containing roller 94 is rotatably mounted closer to the mounting pin 86. An idler roller 96 is also rotatably mounted between the plate members 90 within a slot so that a spring 98 connected at one end to the plate member 90 and at its lower end to the roller shaft 100 may urge the idler roller 96 into engagement with both the inking roller 92 and the ink supply roller 94 to thereby transfer the ink supply from the roller 94 to the roller 92. The inking assembly 84 is therefore spring-biased into engagement with the corresponding marking roller by means of a spring 182 anchored to the bottom of the partition plate member 48 so that the inking roller 92 will be in engagement with the marking roller with the appropriate pressure for maintaining the marking roller inked.

It will be observed that the inking mechanisms 84 and a portion of the marking rollers 20, 22 and 24 are enclosed within a hood structure comprising a top portion 104 hingedly connected to the partition plate member 48 by means of hinge 106 disposed rearwardly thereof. It will also be observed that side members 108 are connected to the top member 104 of the hood. Referring therefore to FIGURE 3, it will be observed that a link member 110 connects the side portion 108 of the hood to the bearing end 70 of the arm 38 by means of a releasable fastener 112. Accordingly, when it is desired to raise the hood structure for removal or repair of the marking device the movable fastener 112 is released and the hood pivotally raised about its hinge 106.

From the foregoing description, operation of the marking device as well as the method or process for which it is extremely useful will be apparent. It will therefore be recognized that a relatively simple and inexpensive and readily repairable position responsive marking apparatus is provided which will grade mark lumber in a novel, rapid and accurate manner.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A method of grade marking lumber by a plurality of marking devices comprising the steps of: placing lumber on a moving conveyor; selectively positioning the lumber in a plurality of different endwise grading positions on the conveyor; and marking the lumber spaced from one end by one marking device at a time, in accordance with the endwise grading positions of the lumber while simultaneously preventing other marking devices from marking the lumber either in response to engagement of the lumber by said one marking device or by initial positioning of the lumber in one extreme endwise grading position; the step of marking the lumber by one marking device at a time including passing the lumber under a plurality of marking devices disposed in spaced endwise marking positions over the conveyor corresponding to the different endwise grading positions of the lumber; supporting and interconnecting the marking devices at stepped levels corresponding to the grades for engagement by the lumber, the highest level marking device being positioned at one extreme endwise marking position for marking lumber positioned only at said one extreme endwise grading position, the lowest level marking device being positioned at the other extreme endwise marking position so that engagement of lumber therewith will raise all other marking devices above the lumber.

2. Apparatus for grade marking lumber comprising conveyor means for moving lumber to be graded and marked, grading station alignment means for enabling endwise grade positioning of the lumber on the conveyor relative to a reference line, and marking means operative in response to an endwise position of the lumber relative to said reference line for automatically placing only one of a plurality of grade marks on the lumber in spaced relation from one end thereof as the lumber passes said marking means from said grading station alignment means, said marking means comprising a plurality of interconnected markers spaced from each other in endwise positions relative to said reference line and corresponding to the lumber grades, and means supporting said markers above the conveyor means at different stepped levels relative to the lumber so that the marker at the lowest level will engage lumber at an extreme endwise grade position and thereby raise all other markers above the lumber.

3. A grade marking device comprising yieldably displaceable frame means, motor means mounted on said frame means, a plurality of interconnected axially spaced marking roller means of progressively difierent diameters rotatably mounted on said frame means, transmission means drivingly interconnecting said motor means with said roller means and inking means mounted on said frame means yieldably engageable with said roller means.

4. The device as defined in claim 3, wherein said frame means includes hood means embracing said roller means and inking means, said roller means being exposed from one side of the hood means and said motor means being partitioned from said inking means and roller means by a partitioning side of the hood means.

5. The device as defined in claim 4, including suspension means pivotally supporting said frame means at a bottom end of said frame means, said frame means being spring-biased to one pivotal position relative to said suspension means and limit stop means mounted on said suspension means and engageable with said frame means at one end thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 382,504 Anderson May 8, 1888 1,349,836 Johanson Aug. 17, 1920 1,382,224 Pitney June 21, 1921 1,595,172 Stewart Aug. 10, 1926 1,706,632 Onstad Mar. 26, 1929 1,966,396 Payzant July 10, 1934 2,172,318 Ferguson Sept. 5, 1939 2,627,225 Barton Feb. 3, 1953 2,691,936 Farkas et a1 Oct. 19, 1954 2,952,204 Sherman Sept. 13, 1960 

2. APPARATUS FOR GRADE MARKING LUMBER COMPRISING CONVEYOR MEANS FOR MOVING LUMBER TO BE GRADED AND MARKED, GRADING STATION ALIGNMENT MEANS FOR ENABLING ENDWISE GRADE POSITIONING OF THE LUMBER ON THE CONVEYOR RELATIVE TO A REFERENCE LINE, AND MARKING MEANS OPERATIVE IN RESPONSE TO AN ENDWISE POSITION OF THE LUMBER RELATIVE TO SAID REFERENCE LINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY PLACING ONLY ONE OF A PLURALITY OF GRADE MARKS ON THE LUMBER IN SPACED RELATION FROM ONE END THEREOF AS THE LUMBER PASSES SAID MARKING MEANS FROM SAID GRADING STATION ALIGNMENT MEANS, SAID MARKING MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INTERCONNECTED MARKERS SPACED FROM EACH OTHER IN ENDWISE POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID REFERENCE LINE AND CORRESPONDING TO THE LUMBER GRADES, AND MEANS SUPPORTING SAID MARKERS ABOVE THE CONVEYOR MEANS AT DIFFERENT STEPPED LEVELS RELATIVE TO THE LUMBER SO THAT THE MARKER AT THE LOWEST LEVEL WILL ENGAGE LUMBER AT AN EXTREME ENDWISE GRADE POSITION AND THEREBY RAISE ALL OTHER MARKERS ABOVE THE LUMBER. 